Seat trim cover attachment component and related method

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a seat component comprising a cushion, a trim cover having at least one seam, and a trim cover fastener for attaching the trim cover seam to the cushion. The trim cover fastener has a first end attached to the trim cover seam and a second end extending into at least a portion of, and attached to, the cushion.

1 . A seat component comprising: 
 a cushion;    a trim cover adjacent the cushion, the trim cover having a seam;    a unitary trim cover fastener securing the trim cover to the cushion; and    the trim cover fastener having a first end attached to the trim cover seam and a second end extending into at least a portion of, and attached to, the cushion.    
     
     
         2 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion has a first side and a second side spaced from the first side, the first end of the trim cover fastener being adjacent the first side of the cushion and the second end of the trim cover fastener being adjacent the second side of the cushion.  
     
     
         3 . The seat component of  claim 2 , wherein the trim cover fastener further includes a connector portion extending between and connecting the first and second ends.  
     
     
         4 . The seat component of  claim 3 , wherein the connector portion extends through the cushion between the first and second sides.  
     
     
         5 . The seat component of  claim 1 , further comprising a tie-down portion having a first end attached to the trim cover seam and a second end attached to the first end of the trim cover fastener.  
     
     
         6 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is made from a material that can be compressible.  
     
     
         7 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion has a hole on at least the second side of the cushion having two dimensions, and a second end of the trim cover fastener having at least one dimension longer than at least one dimension of the hole.  
     
     
         8 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of trim cover fasteners secure the trim cover seam to the cushion.  
     
     
         9 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the trim cover fastener is made of thermoplastic polymer.  
     
     
         10 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the trim cover fastener contacts and is retained by the second side.  
     
     
         11 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the trim cover is a fabric cover suitable for seating in a motor-vehicle.  
     
     
         12 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion includes a surface defining a trench, at least a portion of the trim cover seam being held in the trench of the cushion by the trim cover fastener.  
     
     
         13 . The seat component of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is a flexible foam used for seating in a motor-vehicle.  
     
     
         14 . A method for securing a trim cover to a cushion, said method comprising: 
 securing a fist end of a unitary trim cover fastener to the trim cover;    inserting a second end of the trim cover fastener into at least a portion of the cushion; and    securing the second end of the trim cover fastener to the cushion.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising loading the second end of the trim cover fastener into a cut-through needle and inserting said second end through the cushion using the cut-through needle.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising releasing the second end of the trim cover fastener after the cut-through needle has penetrated through the cushion.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising retracting the cut-through needle back through the cushion after releasing the second end of the trim cover fastener.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising rotating the second end of the trim cover fastener 90 degrees after said second end is through the cushion.  
     
     
         19 . A seat component comprising: 
 a cushion having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side;    a trim cover adjacent and secured to the cushion, the trim cover having a seam; and    a plastic trim cover fastener having a first end attached to the trim cover seam adjacent the first side of the cushion and a second end adjacent and secured to the second side of the cushion.    
     
     
         20 . The seat component of  claim 19 , wherein the trim cover fastener is unitary and further includes a connector portion extending between and connecting the first and second ends.